Worksop: Landlady who triumphed over cancer just months after losing husband to same illness says ‘I’m back’

Wendy Pettinger and team

Sophie Wills

A gutsy landlady is keen to let her customers know she is ‘back in full swing’ and ready to return to her beloved pub after conquering breast cancer.

Wendy Pettinger, of the Millhouse Pub on Newcastle Avenue, Worksop, was diagnosed with the illness in June of last year.

Just months earlier Wendy’s husband Mick, who co-ran the pub with her, had also been diagnosed with cancer before sadly passing away 12 weeks later.

Wendy, who has been landlady of the Millhouse for five years, said: “When Mick was ill, I already knew there was something very wrong- but I was so busy focusing on him, desperate for him to be saved, that I didn’t care about what happened to me. So I left it.”

“Then of course, after Mick died, I was diagnosed with cancer myself.”

“I left work for 10 months to receive treatment. The treatment itself was awful, especially the chemotherapy- but I always knew that I wanted to come back to my pub, back to work.”

Wendy was eager to thank her team and her regulars for rallying round her at a difficult time.

She said: “My team are like a family to me and I cannot thank them enough for their support.”

“I would also like to express my gratitude to my customers, especially my regulars- they have been wonderful and do so much to keep Mick’s memory alive, including tending to a memorial garden outside the pub and forming a football team in his honour.”

There will be a ‘Welcome Back Wendy’ party at the Millhouse on Saturday 5th July with all welcome to attend.

Wendy added: “I have booked a singer, Chris Carter, and my friend Patricia Raffo will be singing too. There will also be a raffle. It should be a great night.”

“I am feeling tons better and am ready to get this show on the road.”

The Millhouse football team, formed in Mick’s honour, will play against a team formed by the Shireoaks Pub to compete for the Mick Pettinger Memorial Cup on August 21st.

There will also be a further charity event, to be decided by Wendy, later this month.

For more information on these events and how can you help with fundraising, contact Wendy at the Millhouse Pub on 01909 509358.